Case for electrical apparatus and the like



Feb. 8, 1966 R. w. SEABURY, JR 3,233,953

CASE FOR ELECTRICAL APPARATUS AND THE LIKE Filed June 4, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Feb. 8, 1966 R. w. SEABURY, JR- 3,233,953

CASE FOR ELECTRICAL APPARATUS AND THE LIKE Filed June 4, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 F l G. 3

INVENTOR. fi/C'HARD M SEABU/P), JR.

ATTORNEY 1966 R. w. SEABURY, Jl 3,233,953

CASE FOR ELECTRICAL APPARATUS AND THE LIKE Filed June 4, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTO/P/VE) Feb. 8, 1966 R. w. SEABURY, JR 3,233,953

CASE FOR ELECTRICAL APPARATUS AND THE LIKE Filed June 4, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 10-

INVENTOR.

INC/MRO [if SEABUAJCJ/P.

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,233,953 CASE FOR ELECTRICAL APPARATUS AND THE LIKE Richard W. Seabury, Jr., Towaco, N.J., assiguor to Radio Frequency Laboratories, Inc, Boonton, N.J., a corporation of New Jersey Filed June 4, 1%4, Ser. No. 372,507 Claims. (Cl. 312-244;)

This invention relates to a case for electrical apparatus, or the like, and more particularly to a portable case of novel construction, pleasing appearance and improved utility.

Instrument cases of the class to which this invention is directed are designed and constructed to carry electrical apparatus comprising electrical networks, control switches, rheostats, etc., and generally, an electrical indicating instrument. Such cases are provided with a handle for carrying purposes. Although instrument cases of various constructions are available, a case made in accordance with this invention affords economy of manufacture, flexibility of use and ready access to the internal components. The latter feature is of advantage when the particular apparatus is of the portable class, that is, energized by self-contained batteries.

An object of this invention is the provision of a case for electrical apparatus wherein the sides of the case are pivotally mounted and arranged to carry components of the apparatus.

An object of this invention is the provision of a case wherein the top is of arcuate contour and serves as a positioning and bearing means for a rotatable handle.

An object of this invention is the provision of a case having a rotatable handle and pivotally-mounted sides, said handle and sides having cooperating means for latching the sides in the case closed position.

An object of this invention is the provision of a case wherein the front and back are formed of a single plate bent back upon itself along an arcuate portion which constitutes the top of the case, and including a handle carried by the case and rotatable about the axis of said arcuate portion.

An object of this invention is the provision of a case comprising front and back portions and an arouate top portion formed of a single plate, a tubular member rotatable along the said arcuate top portion and having a handle secured thereto, and a pair of pivotally-mounted members forming the sides and bottom of the case, said tubular member and, pivotally-rnounted members having cooperating means for latching the pivotally-mounted members in the case-closed positions and eflfeotiwe to permit rotation of the pivot-ally-mounted members to the case-open positions when the handle is in a predetermined position.

An object of this invention is the provision of a case wherein the top wall is arcuate, a hollow tubular member extends along the inner surface of the top wall and has a handle secured thereto, and a cylindrical storage member is frictionally disposed within the tubular member.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description when taken with the accompanying drawings. It will be understood, however, that the drawings are for purposes of illustration and are not to be construed as defining the scope or limits of the invention, reference being ha-d for the latter purpose to the claims appended hereto.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote like parts in the several views:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded, isometric view showing the 3233,5953 Patented Feb. 8, 1966 "ice major components for an instrument case made in accordance with this invention;

FIGURE 2 is an isometric view of the assembled case with the handle in the upright position;

FIGURE 3 is a bottom, elevational view of the assennbled case, with certain parts broken away;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken along the line IVIV of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged isometric view of the leaf spring which normally biases the side portions of the case for rotation outwardly of the case body portion;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged isometric view of the bushing which forms the bearing for the side portions of the case;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken along the line VIIVII of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 8 is a front, elevational view of the complete case with the side portions in the open positions;

FIGURE 9 is an isometric view of the cylindrical container which serves as a storage compartment; and

FIGURE 10 is a side, elevational view of the case with the handle rotated to support the case in an inclined position.

Reference now is made to FIGURE 1, which shows the major components of a case made in accordance with this invention. The front 10, back 11 and top 12, of the case, are formed of a single metal plate bent back upon itself so that the front and back lie in spaced, parallel planes. The front 10 is provided with a plurality of openings depending upon the particular apparatus to be housed in the case. For example, the opening 13 may accommodate the case of an electrical indicating instrument whereas the openings 14 and 15 may serve for mounting switches, rheostats, or etc. A metal handle 16 has ends welded to the flanges 17 and 18, which flanges are formed by flaring, outwardly, the ends of a relative thin-walled tubular member 19. A rolled channel 29 is formed in the central portion of the tubular member thereby resulting in an inwardly-extending, circular rib, and the flanges are provided with aligned slots 21 and 22, for purposes which will be explained hereinbelow. It may here be pointed out that the outer surfaces of the case front, top and back may be covered with a suitable insulating coating, such as plastic.

The axial distance between the flanges I7 and I8 is somewhat greater than the width of the case and the outer surface of the tubular member 19 has a radius corresponding to that of the inner surface of the case top 12. In the assembly of the case, the tubular member is inserted between the spaced, lower ends of the case front and back and positioned into engagement with the inner surface of the case top, as shown in FIGURE 2. The case front is provided with two holes 25 and 26 (see FIGURE 1) for receiving fastening screws 27 and 28 (see FIGURE 2). As shown in FIGURE 4, which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IVIV of FIG- URE 2, the fastening screw 28 and cooperating nut 29 secure a leaf spring 30 to the case front, said leaf spring being flexed and bearing against the surface of the tubular member 19. A similar leaf spring is secured in place by the other fastening screw 27 and a cooperating nut. These springs press the tubular member into engagement with the inner surface of the case top 12. Thus, the handle is rotatable relative to the case with the case top serving as a bearing surface for the tubular member to which the handle is attached.

Referring again to FIGURE 1, the case sides and bottom comprise a pair of reversely-formed members 31 and 32. With specific reference to the member 31, such member comprises a metal plat-e bent to form a bottom, or base portion 33, a side wall 34 and a bottom wall 35, said side and bottom walls terminating in the inwardlymember 19, and has a flat, generally rectangular tab 38 riveted thereto. Such tab, preferably made of'nylon, has an end projecting beyond the side wall 34 and has a width such that it will pass through the slot 22 formed 1n theflange 18. The overall width of the side wall34 and the bottom wall 35, that is, the distance between the bottom surface of the bottom portion 33 and the upper surface of the ledge 36, is somewhat less than the spacing between the case front and back 11." Thus, the member 31 is slidably inset-table between the case front .and

back such that the side wall 34 constitutes the left side 'of J' i the case and the bottom, wall 35 constitutes one-half of the case bottom. The bottom wall 35 includes an integral extension whichis formed into a substantially ,closed loop 39.

The member 32 is of generally similar configuration and comprises a bottom portion 33', side wall 34 termi- 'nating in the inwardly-directed ledge 3-6, and a bottom wall 35' terminating in the inwardly-directed ledge 37'; In this case, however, the bottom wall 35 is provided with spaced extensions .formed into the loops 39a and 39b.

The loop 39,'of the member 31, is insertable between the loops 3% and 39b, of the member 32, thereby forming a tubular passageway for receiving a bushing which serves. as a bearing member for pivotally' attaching the members 31 and 32 to the front and back of the case. Such bushing, shown in FIGURE 6 and identified by the numeral 40, is provided with threaded, axial holes and is secured in place by fastening screws passing through aligned holes provided in the. case front and back; the hole 41, formed in the case front 10, being vis'ible'in FIGURE 1.

The assembled case is shown in FIGURES 12 and 3, to which reference now is made. The bushing 40, extends ing through the aligned loops 39, 39a and 39b, of the respective members 31 and 32, is securedrin fixed position by the screws 42 and 43 and forms the bearing for such members. viewed inFIGURE 2, to align the flange slot 22 with the When the handle is rotated forwardly astab 38, the member 31 is pressed inwardly. to pass the protruding end of the tab through the slot. Thus, when the handle is-rotated to the illustrated position, such end of the tab lies. below the flange 18, whereby the member 31 is retained in the illustrated, case-closed position.

It will be noted that in suchTcase-closed position, the

outer surfaces ofthe member 31 are recessed somewhat from the proximate sides and ends of the case front and back, thereby providing a pleasing appearance: It.will

be apparent that the members 31 and 32 will be retained in the case-closed positions for all angular positions of the handle, except when the flange slotsi21 and 22 .are

aligned with the associated tabs. The members 31 and 32 are biased for outward rotation about the bushing 40 by a spring member 45 shown in FIGURE 5.

The spring member 45, made of a suitable spring material, such as Phosphor bronze, comprises tapered body portions 46, 46- terminating in curled ends.47,47.and.

spaced, offset ears'48, 48' providedwith aligned holes 7 V g 49, 49.. The bushing40 fitsbetween the cars 48, 48" and the fastening screws 42, 43 (see FIGURE 3) pass through the case frontand back,'as shown in FIGURE 8 whereinthe members 31 and 32 are illustrated in the case-open positions. When the members 31 and 32 arerotated to the case-closed positions, as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3,

the bottom walls ofthese members engage the ,curled. spring ends thereby flexing the: body portions of ;the-

-s rin The .flexed s rin rovidcs the biasin force D b D to rota e 1. 6 members 31 and 32. to partially-open posi-i tions when the handle is rotated to the. proper position,

whereby the user may then rotate the members 31 and 32 to the fully-open positions shown in FIGURE 8.

The assembly of the members 31 and 32 to thecase is shown in the enlarged cross-sectional View of FIGURE' 7, which view is. taken along the line VIIZVII1 of FIG;-

URE 2. The bushing 46 is disposed between the spring.

ears 48,48, of-the. spring 45,: and passes throughxthe loop '39, formed inqtheqrnember 31, .and the spaced,

alignedloops 39a and 39b :formed-in the cooperating member 32, the latter not being .visible in this particular view. The screw 42 passes through; aligned holes, formed in the case front 10 and the spring ear 48, and is threaded.

into the axialhole provided in the bushing 40. The screw 43 passes through aligned holes formed 'in the case back 11 and the'other; spring ear 48' and, also is threaded into the bushing.

As has been stated above, the members 31 and"32 ,l

forming the case sides and bottom, are retained in the tively, the handlemay .be rotated to theposition shown in FIGURE 10 to support the-case in an inclined position. 7

FIGURE 9 illustratesta cylindrical member; constitute ing a container for the storage of test leads' and/or other.

accessories. Such member is molded .of; a suitable plastic and comprises two matching body portions 50, '51 ,"hav.

ing integral end walls 51a,. 51b and 52a, 52b; respec:

tively., The body portions are joiinedtogether by an integral, longitudiual 'hinge portion 53., Thin metal discs '54 and .55 are rivetedto the end walls, 51a and 51b, respectively. Formed integral with the body portions are a plurality'of inwardly-extending, aligned, stiifening ribs 54-"and 55. The. outer surfaces-of the ,bodyiportions,

along each rib, are concave thereby forming circular channels when the two body? portions are rotated toward each other to form a cylindrical container. The hinge portion 53",being molded integral with the body portions,

normally tends to spread-the bodyportiohs apart to the.

partiall '%open position, that; is, an'-external force is 1'5;-

-quired to retain thebody-portions in the, closed, cylindrical configuration. ,By' grasping the container in OIlEI" hand, to bring the two; body portions together, the con tainer is insertable -into thetubular member'tor-which the handle '16 is attached,fs'ee FIGURE 10. When so inserted into the tubular member, the container is-fric-.. tionally retained in place by the normal tendency of' the a container'body portions to spread apart-under. the force,

provided .;bytheghinge portion, The container is cen-g V tered within the tubularz member when the inwardly-extending rib} formed by the ;rolled channel12 0 on' the tubularmember. -,,(see FIGURE' 1), is disposed. in: the.

' central, circular channel formed in the-outer surface of the container. 7 The. metal end=discs 54*andt55, z'see FIG-1 URE19, effectively closerthe ends-of the container when 7 the, latter is positioned within the tubular. member, as, shown in FIGURE 10. The removal of the containe'n: from.the tubular member, isefie'cted by finger pressure applied to either end thereof.

It will now beapparent that a case made in accord-, ance with this'invention comprises a unitary arcuate top :I i joined to 'a front and back. The, handle, spanning the case, is secured to a tubularhmember rotatable within the arcuate case top and rprovided with'outwardlyextend-, ing flanges formed at the ends. thereof. Thecase sides; and bottomzare formed by twomembers pivotally at tached' to the front and back. These members and the flanges are provided with "cooperating meansifor'latching the members in the case-closed positionsanel .for un-,

latching the members when the handle is rotated to a predetermined position. Such predetermined, position of the handle preferably requires a rotation of the handle to overlie the case front, whereby the case may be set in a vertical, horizontal or inclined position without the unlatching of the two pivotally-mounted members. These pivotally-mounted members, particularly the flat base portions thereof, may carry suitable clips for retaining spare components of the particular apparatus, or batteries in the case of a self-powered apparatus. Convenient access to such components is had by merely rotating the handle to the unlatching position and rotating one or both of the pivotally-mounted members to the case-open positions, as shown in FIGURE 8. Portions of the bottoms 33 and 33' are cut out (see FIGURE 1) to provide a clearance area when the members 31 and 32 are in the case-closed positions. Suitable posts, positioned in such clearance area and secured to the case back, serve as supports for a printed circuit board or a platform carrying an electrical network.

Having now given a detailed description of the invention, those skilled in this art will be able to make various changes and modifications in the illustrated construction and arrangement of the parts without thereby departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as recited in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A case for electrical apparatus, or the like, comprising,

(a) a fixed front, back and top,

(b) a pair of movable members constituting the case sides and bottom,

(c) means pivotally securing the movable members to the said front and back,

(d) handle means rotatably carried by the said top, said handle means including a central portion and offset end portions spanning the said top, and

(e) cooperating latching means carried by said handle means and the movable members, said latching means retaining both of the movable members in case-closed positions except when the handle means is rotated to a predetermined position.

2. The invention as recited in claim 1, including spring means normally biasing the movable members to the caseopen positions.

3. The invention as recited in claim 1, wherein said top is arcuate and wherein the said handle means includes a tubular member in surface engagement with the inner surface of the arcuate top.

4. The invention as recited in claim 3, wherein said tubular member has outwardly-extending flanges at each end and wherein said cooperating latching means comprises aligned slots formed in the flanges and protruding tabs carried by the said movable members, each tab being positioned to pass through the slot of an associated flange when the handle means is in the predetermined position.

5. The invention as recited in claim 3, wherein the said tubular member has an inwardly-directed circular rib, and including a cylindrical container frictionally disposed within the tubular member, said container having a circular channel formed in the outer surface for accommodating said rib.

6. A case comprising,

(a) a flat front and back joined to an arcuate top,

(b) an open tubular member having an outwardly-extending flange at each end,

(0) means rotatably retaining the tubular member in surface engagement with the inner surface of said arcuate top with the flanges extending along opposed sides of the arcuate top,

(d) a handle having an end secured to the flanges,

(e) a first member constituting one case side and one half of the case bottom,

(f) a second member constituting the other case side and the other half of the case bottom,

(g) means pivotally securing the first and second members to the said front and back,

(h) individual tabs carried by the said first and second members, each tab having a protruding end portion extending toward an associated flange,

(i) spring means normally biasing the said first and second members outwardly with respect to the said front and back, and

(j) aligned slots formed in the flanges, the arrangement being such that the protruding end portions of the tabs can be passed through the associated flange slot when the handle is in a predetermined position, and the flanges will overlie the tab end portions when the handle is rotated to move the slots out of registry with the tab ends.

7. The invention as recited in claim 6, wherein the said frlont, back and arcuate top are formed of a single fiat p ate.

8. The invention as recited in claim 6, wherein the said first and second members each include a flat base portion lying in a plane spaced from and parallel to that of the said back.

9. The invention as recited in claim 6, in combination with a cylindrical container having closed ends and frictionally retained within the said tubular member.

10. The invention as recited in claim 9, wherein said tubular member includes a circular rib extending from the inner surface thereof, and said cylindrical container includes a circular channel formed in the outer surface thereof, the said rib extending into the said channel to locate the cylindrical container within the tubular member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 606,556 6/1898 Keith 312-619 X 1,610,368 12/1926 Gerson 312-319 2,199,664 5/1940 Horsley 312199 2,460,915 2/ 1949 Allen 220-94 2,632,683 3/1953 Sterling 312244 X FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

CHANCELLOR E. HARRIS, Examiner. 

1. A CASE FOR ELECTRICAL APPARATUS, OR THE LIKE, COMPRISING, (A) A FIXED FRONT, BACK AND TOP, (B) A PAIR OF MOVABLE MEMBERS CONSTITUTING THE CASE SIDES AND BOTTOM, (C) MEANS PIVOTALLY SECURING THE MOVABLE MEMBERS TO THE SAID FRONT AND BACK, (D) HANDLE MEANS ROTATABLY CARRIED BY SAID TOP, SAID HANDLE MEANS INCLUDING A CENTRAL PORTION AND OFFSET END PORTIONS SPANNING THE SAID TOP, AND 